Root Call Blocker

If you have specific numbers that you want to be blocked each time they call, then there's a good chance you've turned to apps that automate this process. There is one problems with that, though: most apps still let your phone ring at least once. That's where Root Call Blocker rises above the rest.

Root Call Blocker detects incoming calls at the system level, so it can block them much more efficiently. In fact, it's so efficient that it blocks the call before your phone even rings, so you're completely unaware that the offending caller has tried to contact you in the first place. The app offers many other features as well, such as call logs, so you'll know who called (and when); multiple rejection methods, multiple profiles, caller grouping, SMS auto-replies, and much more.

This app will set you back $5.98, but there is also a trial version available, so you can give it a try before dropping any money.

Virtual Button Bar

If you have a device lacking dedicated hardware buttons, like a Nook Color for example, or something has happened and your buttons no longer work, then this app can save you a lot of time and trouble. Its entire purpose is to provide on-screen emulation of the dedicated hardware buttons on most Android devices.

The app offers various customizable features, such as user-definable buttons and positions, lockscreen animations, the ability to change various hardware button actions (volume, camera, etc) and a few aesthetic variations such as transparency and button size.

Virtual Button Bar is $1.63, but there is fully-functional trial available, as well.

LBE Privacy Guard

Update 1/15/12: LBE Privacy Guard v2 was released, and the previous version discontinued, so we've updated the app url and screenshots below.

This is probably one of the best privacy guards that we've ever seen. Its functionality is akin to that of a software firewall, with some elements of Windows UAC thrown in.

LBE sits in the background and "listens" to your apps as they request various permissions and then provides you a notice with options to either grant or deny access. I'll return to the example I used in the original coverage of this app for further explanation:

For example, if you have an app installed that requires access to your SMS messages, but you see no valid reason that this app would need to access your messages, then you can simply deny access. You can do this on a per-request basis, or have the app remember your preference.

You can also use LBE to control which apps have network access, which could be a Godsend to anyone on a tiered data plan.

Dual Mount SD Widget

The inability to mount your SD card to both your phone and PC at the same time can be quite annoying, as you can't access any of the information or apps that reside on your SD card when your device is mounted to your computer. Dual Mount SD Card is a simple and practical solution to this conundrum, as it allows you to access your SD card from phone and PC alike while it's mounted.

In order for this app to function properly, you must first disable Android's auto-mount option, using the widget instead.

The app will set you back $0.99, and you can grab it by hitting the widget below.

Hexamob Recovery Pro

If you've ever accidentally deleted any data from your phone, then you know what a sickening feeling that can be. Fortunately, we have apps like Hexamob Recovery Pro to save the day.

Hexamob Recovery Pro is a data recovery tool designed to grab deleted files from either the SD card or internal storage of your Android phone. It supports the FAT file system, and offers the ability to scan the media for specific files types, including audio, video, images, and more.

This app is does not work on tablets.

This app is available in the Android Market for $1.39 - hit the widget to grab it.

Total Commander

Total Commander is a feature packed dual-pane file manager for Android, based off of the popular Windows file manager of the same name. Recently, Artem put Total Commander to the test, and came out extremely happy in the end.

Now, you may be asking yourself - "why is this on the list of root apps?" Well, you see, Total Commander also features full root support on top of its already jam-packed list of features (including Honeycomb support). It really is the only file manager that you'll ever need.

Total Commander is not yet available in the Android Market, but you can grab the latest beta release from here.

Boot Manager

If you're having a problem choosing what custom ROM you want to run, then Boot Manager is the app for you. This ingenious app allows you to have five different custom ROMs on your phone at once, choosing between them at startup.

In its current state, Boot Manager fully supports the Motorola Droid, HTC Droid Incredible, HTC Thunderbolt, HTC Vision, and HTC EO 4G. If your device didn't make the list, don't fret, as the developer says that it should work on other devices as well - they're just not fully supported as of yet.

Boot Manager is $2.99 in the Market, and you can grab it from the widget below.

Sixaxis Controller

Out of all the apps in this roundup, this one is definitely the most fun. Sixaxis Controller allows you to connect a PS3 controller to your Android device, giving you the ability to have a full gaming experience on your handset.

Conclusion

There you have it - eight more of the best root tools that we could find. A tip of the hat goes out to all of the amazing devs that we have in the Android community and rooting scene, because without you guys, Android wouldn't be what it is today.

As always, if you know of an awesome root app, make sure to drop us a line.

Why is the price different if I buy the app on my phone vs on the market place online.
Using the market of my phone the sixaxis app costed me 1.76 but if I look the market online is only 1.67.

Is only 10 cents but...

mskks64

REALLY REALLY wished bootmanager worked on DX

J Rush

I laughed out loud reading the messages on the screenshot of Root Call Blocker. "I'm having your child...please, answer me!

Tee

I see these are all Market apps (exlc. TC). But would http://slideme.org be also worth a look?

And there is the apk available too.

calex

So... where's the source code for LBE Privacy Guard? It is being offered for free, so what's the harm in open-source? As someone said, if a product is being offered free of charge, it's more likely that you ARE the product. In this case, your trusting a random Chinese national to block others apps by giving it all the authority it needs to stealth all of its own actions. Smart or not? Depends on if you know Team LBE and/or its employers personally. My best bet is that you don't.

I'd love this product, but I'd need access to its source code.

fgk

Network Log will help you see if it sends any information. There is also a live notification feature to see it immediately. I have never seen "LBE Privacy Guard" sending information, however "root" and "kernel" often do it, and I'm not sure why (I'm not a developer, I couldn't analyse a source code either). I also use Samba filesharing, maybe that's why, but it might be the privacy guard. I'll try it by uninstalling both for a while.

HovaKurd

if you need an app and dont want to go trough play store just write (APP_NAME_APK) e.g. root call blocker apk. i download tons of apps each day like this, even if its a paid version just add (pro) or (full version) to the name